Wheelchair lift with automated folding platform

ABSTRACT

A wheelchair lift with hydraulic power unit and automated folding platform for installation on the floor, inside the opening defining walls of a vehicle to provide for loading and unloading of wheelchair occupants to and from the vehicle. Completely automated, retractable, collapsable folding platform. Hydraulic power unit (10) of the lift and the hydraulic cylinder (28) are totally enclosed, and contained in the power box. The power unit provides power for upward motion of the platform. The platform is pivotally retracted and held in a vertical position in half of the opening space of the vehicle door. The folding motion is accomplished by a folding arm driven against a cam roller which starts the motion of the ball joint linkages inside the platform tubing structure. The automatic folding action of the platform segments is also accomplished by other actuating devices such as hydraulic cylinder or a linear actuator (118) attached to a folding mechanism (114) and (116) for a complete 180 degree rotation and overlay of one segment of the platform over another.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the Ser. No. 08/178,051 filed in Jan. 6, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,581.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to wheelchair lift for transit vehicles specially to an "Improved Power Unit" and Automated Folding Platform.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Wheelchair lift previously refered to as "powered loading platform" in U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,230 to Pearson, Feb. 20, 1979 discloses electromechanical power unit by adopting ball screw and bevel gear and linkage assembly which results in a power unit box which is bulky in size, and requires intensive maintenance and is undesirably noisy. The platform of the prior art is only manually foldable.

Such manual operation of wheelchair lift platform which is intended for a disabled person requires assistance of a second person and is not by all means desireable; especially to those wheelchair occupants who are also independent drivers as well.

In the prior art the term "powered loading platform" used repeatedly implies to a lift with manually operated platform where as in my invention ,folding of the platform is fully automated as will be described in detail in the description of my invention.

Although my invention and the prior art share a minor physical resemblence, my invention greately differs in the novelty features. However, the common areas of similarity rests on:

a--Use of parallelogram linkage theorem which has been an academic principal in mechanics and kinematics text books and has a history of adoption in various fields for over 180 years.

b--Segmented hinged platform which has also been in use in the military and the cargo air-crafts for many decades.

Obviously, neither prior art, nor my invention can solely rely explicitly on the above mentioned aspects of invention as a part of novelty features.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are the power unit which is comprised of a safe, powerful, state of art compact hydraulic power unit and hydraulic driven chain and sprocket system that requires no maintenance.

The power unit box is compact, therefore requires less space thus the unit becomes feasible for installation in Mini-Vans.

The descending travel motion of the lift's platform either loaded or unloaded is by means of gravity, which provides safe and accident free coasting downward.

The automated folding and unfolding feature of the platform in my invention provides the ultimate safe, and effortless independent operation without assistance by handicaped wheelchair occupant who may also be the driver of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows, an isometric view of my invention, depicting the power unit in detail assuming as if the power unit box walls were made of transparent material to reveal internal components.

FIG. 2 shows, an isometric view of the platform structure, depicting the automatic folding mechanisms inside the main tubing structures, assuming as if the tubing was made of transparent material to reveal internal mechanisms.

FIG. 3 shows a fragmentary isometric view of an enlarged scale of the same embodiment defining side wall of the LH. platform in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows, an isometric view of the platform tubing structure depicting other automatic folding mechanism and linear actuator inside the main tubing structures, showing 3 sequential folding positions, assuming as if the tubing was made of transparent material to reveal internal mechanisms.

FIG. 5 shows, an isometric view of the folding mechanism in detail.

    ______________________________________                                         Reference Numerals In Drawings                                                 ______________________________________                                          10 - Power box   12 - Compact hydraulic power                                  14 - Hydraulic hose                                                                               unit                                                        18 - Keyed shaft                                                                                16 - Solenoid valve                                           20 - Sprocket    19 - 2 hole pillow block bearing                              22 - Sprocket    21 - 2 hole pillow block bearing                              24 - Double strand chain                                                                        23 - Shaft                                                    27 - Power box connecting                                                                       26 - Chain tensioner/connector                                  ears           28 - Hydraulic cylinder                                       30 - Lever arm   32 - Shaft with key-way                                       34 - Mounting bracket                                                                           36 - Electric linear actuator                                 38 - Mounting bracket                                                                           40 - Folding up hinge                                         42 - Upper parallelogram arm                                                                    44 - Lower parallelogram arm                                  46 - Support column                                                                             48 - Cam roller                                               50 - Adjustable support boot                                                                    52 - Hinge                                                    54 - Hinge       56 - Support arm                                              58 - Folding arm                                                                                60 - Spring loaded strut                                      61 - Pin         62 - Folding arm                                              63 - Locking bumper                                                                             64 - Platform structure LH                                    65 - Platform structure Rff                                                                     66 - Support bridge                                           68 - Platform structure LH                                                                      70 - Platform structure RH                                    72 - Platform side wall plate                                                                   74 - Platform side wall plate                                   LH               RH                                                          76 - Ball joint  78 - Rod clevis                                               79 - Hinge mounting bracket                                                                     80 - Hinge Lli                                                82 - flinge RH   84 - Ball joint                                               86 - Rocker arm  88 - stud bolt                                                90 - Rod clevis  91 - Linkage                                                  92 - Spring      93 - Spring                                                   94 - Nut & washer                                                                               95 - Hinge                                                    96 - Hinge       97 - Hinge                                                    98 - Hinge      100 - Triangular pivot plate                                  102 - Ear stubs  104 - Ball joint                                              106 - Adjusting turn buckle                                                                     107 - Stud bolt                                               108 - Ball joint 110 - Stop ramp flap LH                                       111 - Platform LH                                                                               112 - Stop ramp flap RH                                       113 - Platform RH                                                                               114 - Folding mechanism                                       115 - Pivoting pin                                                                              116 - Folding mechanism                                       117 - Pivoting pin                                                                              118 - Linear actuator                                         119 - Linear actuator gear box                                                                  120 - Actuator motor                                          121 - Actuator pivot pin                                                                        122 - Rod end clevis & pin                                    123 - Fixed hinge member                                                                        124 - Rod end bracket                                         125 - Fixed hinge member                                                       ______________________________________                                    

DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 to 5

A typical embodiment of my present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The power unit box 10 in FIG. 1 is drawn with the understanding that, for the purpose of showing all the componentry and their relative positions; to be assumed as if transparent material. Inside the power unit box 10, a compact hydraulic unit 12 consisting of motor, pump, reservoir, and solenoid valve 16 is bolted to the interior wall. The output port of the solenoid valve 16 is connected via hydraulic hose 14 to the hydraulic cylinder 28. The said hydraulic cylinder is suspended via shaft 23 which is supported by two identical 2 hole pillow block bearings 21 to the walls of the said power unit box. The rod end of the said cylinder is connected to the lever arm 30 which is fastened to shaft 23 by means of key-way and key to the said shaft 32. To the said shaft is mounted sprocket 22 by means of key-way.

The said shaft 32 is supported by 2 identical pillow block bearings 25 to the said interior walls of the said power unit box 10. The said shaft is extended through a hole slightly larger in diameter than the shaft on the wall of the power unit box to the outside of the said power unit box in order to receive weldment joint to the parallelogram arm 44.

The said sprocket 22 is connected to the sprocket 20 by chain 24. Adjustable tensioner 26 provides proper tension and connection of the chain ends. The upper sprocket 20 is mounted on the shaft 18 by means of key-way and key. The said shaft is also extended through a hole slightly larger in diameter than the shaft diameter to the outside of the said power unit box, in order to receive weldment joint to parallelogram arm 42. The said shaft 18 is supported by means of 2 identical pillow block bearings to the internal confined walls of the power unit box,

The upper and lower parallelogram arms 42 and 44 are connected to the support column 46. The said support column is inserted inside an "L" shaped adjustable support boot 50 and support arm 56. Two identical hinges 52 and 54 are attached to the said support arm. The said hinges will have their free leaves bolted to the LH platform structure 64. The said platform structure bears the left hand portion of the full platform. The adjacent platform structure 65 bears the right hand half portion of the full platform. The said structures 64 and 65 are individually connected to members 68 and 70 by means of weldment, in order to form two individual "L" shaped structures.

The welded joint is constructed by overlaying the long leg of the said "L" shape 68 over 64 and 70 over 65, not vice versa. It will be noted that the in-line opening of the pieces 64 and 65 is to provide housing for the combined folding mechanisms.

The two "L" shape structures 68 and70 are pivotally connected longitudinally by means of 3 sets of hinge assemblies which are composite and each set is produced by adjoining the individual hinges 95 to 97, arid 96 to 98, and 80 to 82 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus the two halves of the platform structure 111 and 113 FIG. 1 become pivotally rotateable 180 degrees upward. Obviously 4 cut openings are provided in the members 68 and 70 for the free movement of the composite hinges.

FIG. 3 shows the folding arm 62 which is pivotally connected to the side wall 72. The said holding arm is connected to the ball joint 108 of the linkage comprised of the adjustment turn buckle 106 and another ball joint 104.

The said ball joint is pivotally connected to a triangular pivot plate 100 which pivots inside the ear stubs 102 and the slot provided in the platform structure 64. The linkage 77 is connected to the member 100 with the ball joint 76 and clevis 78 to the hinge mounting bracket 79 of hinge 80. The adopted spring 92 provides the proper tension for the linkage,and causes the said folding arm 62 to return and remain in the position shown in FIG. 3.

The hinge 82 inside the platform structure 65 is connected to linkage 91 by clevis 90 at one end and ball joint 84 to the rocker arm 86 at the other end. The said rocker arm receives stud bolt 88 at the center where pivots. The spring 93 provides the proper tension for this linkage assembly.

To the support column 46 in FIG. 1 an adopted 12 volt DC electrical actuator 36 with internal limit switches is pivotally attached (not shown). The rod end of the said linear actuator 36 is pivotally connected to the bracket 38 and the said bracket is fixedly mounted on one leaf of the adopted hinge 40. The other leaf of the said hinge is fixedly bolted to the support column 46. Folding arm 58 is of channel shape form and is fixedly attached to one side of the bracket 38 at one end, and pivotally connected by ball joint to the spring loaded strut by pin 61 at other end. The said spring loaded strut is of retracting tendency nature proportionate to the total weight of the platform and is pivotally connected to the platform side-wall plate 72.

Other actuating means for folding platforms segments can replace the folding arm 62 as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Such actuating means are either linear actuators or hydraulic cylinders. FIGS. 4 & 5 depicts the rectangular tubing 64 of the platform segment with the linear actuator 118 and the folding mechanism 114 and 116.

In FIG. 4 platform tubing structure 64 has an opening cut underneath the platform floor plate to allow insertion of an electrical linear actuator or a hydraulic cylinder as another option. The electric motor 120 of the said linear actuator may be exposed through the opening of the tubing cut provided because of the limited space inside the said tubing 64. The actuator pivotal ear pivots on the actuator pivot pin 121 which is supported by two opposite holes on the tubing walls. The actuating rod end of the said actuator (or the hydraulic cylinder if hydraulic cylinder is used) is hinged to bracket 124 of the folding mechanism member 114 where is pivoting at point 123 inside the said tubing 64 via fixed pivot pin 115 which is supported by two opposite holes on the walls of the said tubing.

Folding mechanism member 116 is hinged to the folding mechanism 114 and is extended at other end to pivot at hinge point 125 inside the tubing structure 65 of the second platform segment,via pin 117 which is also supported by two opposite holes on the walls of the said tubing 65.

OPERATION FIGS. 1, 2, 3,4 & 5

The power box in FIG. 1 is installed inside on the floor of the wheelchair transport vehicle, with bracket 34 and another on the opposite side (not shown) and the connecting ears 27 to the side support structure of the vehicle in the location adjacent to the side sliding door, in such a manner to allow for freedom of movement of the parallelogram's arms 42 and 44 to extend outward of the vehicle door opening confinement.

By starting the motor of the hydraulic unit 12 (via remote control or extended cord push button control box hand hold size) simultaneously the solenoid valve 16 is energized thus allowing the hydraulic fluid to be transfered at 2500 PSI to the cylinder 28 thus extending the cylinder rod.

The extension of the said cylinder rod will push the lever arm 30 downward causing coun-ter-clock-wise rotation of the 32 and sprocket 22 while the same rotation is being transfered to the upper sprocket 20 and shaft 18 by means of chain,resulting the parallelogram arms 42 and 44 to move upward,and move the support column 46 and boot structure 50 and platforms 111 and 113 vertically upward until it reaches the floor level where as the wheelchair can be rolled away.

THE AUTOMATIC FOLDING OPERATION OF THE PLATFORM IS AS FOLLOWS

The linear actuator 36 when energized, will close the pivoting leaf of the hinge 40 thus lifting the folding arm 58 and strut 60 and eventually revolving and lifting the platform along the axis of the hinges 52 and 54 FIG. 1.

When approximately 20 degrees of vertical revolving is in progress, the folding arm 62 comes in contact with the cam roller 48 FIG. 1 and radially pivots forward FIGS. 1,3 resulting the ball joint linkage FIG. 2 to be pushed to pivot the triangular pivot plate 100 to pivot around it's fixed pivotal axis inside the ear stubs 102 which in turn will push the linkage 77 forward and thus the hinge assembly 80 forward. The forward motion is transferred to the 2nd hinge assembly 82 resulting the RH half of the platform 113 to fold 90 degrees upward along the axes of hinges 80, 98, and 97.

In order to achieve complete folding (180 degree) of platform 113 over platform 111 the second assembly of mechanisms situated inside of the tubing structure 65 will begin to function, given 60 degrees approach towards vertical stowing position is now being reached and 75% of the effective weight is decreased because of centroidal shifting of the mass; allowing the spring 93 to retract, tending to push the rocker arm 86 and the linkage 91 forward. Obviously this would be impossible, therefore as a result the whole tubing structure 65 will rotate along the axes of hinges 82, 96, and 95 causing additional 90 degree rotation of platform 113 over platform 111.

THE AUTOMATIC FOLDING OPERATION OF THE PLATFORM FIGS. 4 & 5

The folding mechanism in FIG. 5 consists of 2 members 114 & 116 which are hinged together at one end and have pivotal points 123 and 125 which are fixedly pivotal via pins 115 and 117 inside the platform segment tubings 64 and 65. The pivotal bracket 124 is connected to the actuator 118 at rod end clevis 122 or (a hydraulic double acting cylinder's rod end clevis, which is not shown in drawings).

The said linear actuator 118 when energized simultaneously when the linear actuator 36 of FIG. 1 is energized for stowing, will extend and result in pushing the folding mechanism 114 to pivotally rotate at point 123, thus pushing the member 116 forward. Member 116 is pivotally fixed at 125 inside the second segment of the platform tubing and is forced to lift the tubing structure of the adjacent platform segment upward from position I to the position II and finally position III where the complete 180 degree folding is being accomplished. An accurate calculated stroke length of the actuator 118 will eliminate the need for the limit switches.

The retraction of of the actuator will result the reverse process of unfolding the platform segments.

In actuality, there is no pause or interruption evident in the folding sequence. Once the motion starts, folding occurs vigorously and steadily, in 3 seconds.

Unfolding of the platform is by retract action of the linear actuator which will result in the reverse function of-the entire folding mechanisms.

Lowering of the platform is by controlled action of gravity. when the solenoid valve 16 is de-energized, the valve spool opens the port, and the moment force created by the platform structure will crank the lever arm 30 upward, pushing the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic cylinder to return to reservoir resulting in the platform smoothly and quietly coasting to the ground level. A built-in flow control in the system will provide controlled desired travel speed.

Accordingly the reader will see that the wheelchair lift with automated folding feature and hydraulic power unit of my invention is quiet, compact, powerful for heavy wheelchair occupants, safe and maintenance free allowing it to be installed more quickly inside the smaller and more economical vehicles such as mini vans.

The automatic folding feature of the platform is extremely useful for all handicapped wheelchair occupants without the necessity for second party assistance, and provides more independence to those who are also the drivers of the vehicle and can not operate folding and stowing of the platform manually. 

I claim:
 1. A wheelchair lift with hydraulic power unit system box and automated folding platform comprised of:a power unit drive box mounted on a floor inside an opening definig wall of a vehicle; said drive box having a hydraulic motor, pump, reservoir and valves in an enclosed enclosure attached to an interior wall of the power unit box; a hydraulic cylinder pivotally suspended inside the power box; a crank arm pivotally connected to a rod end of the said cylinder; said crank arm revolving a plurality chain driven sprockets; movement transferring parallelogram linkage attached to extended sprocket shafts outside of the power unit box; whereby the said linkage receives movement from the said chain driven sprockets to stow the platform and a linear actuator is pivotally attached to one segment of combined platform segments by means of a hinge; said one segment of the platfom being further pivotally attached by means of a plurality of concealed hinges to another segment of the platform and foldable upwardly 180 degrees along a hinged axis in response to movement of the linear actuator attached to said one segment; the said combined platforms receiving a folding motion during swinging movement for stowing and the said combined platforms receiving transference motions for folding from a plurality of motion translating linkages and said linear actuator situated inside of a rectangular cubing structure of the two platform segments as said segments of the platform are moved to a vertical stowed position.
 2. A wheelchair lift as in claim (1), wherein the linear actuator is a hydraulic cylinder. 